The NFL’s free agent frenzy is upon us.
Monday kicks off the annual “legal-tampering period,” a two-day window in which agents can negotiate with teams about their clients before the new league year starts on Wednesday.
But even before the likes of Sam Darnold, Chris Godwin and D.J. Reed officially hit the open market, a flurry of trades and extensions shook up the NFL landscape.
Here are the most significant moves:
Myles Garrett extension with Browns
The four-time All-Pro pass rusher, although not technically a free agent, had publicly requested a trade last month, only to sign a record-setting extension with Cleveland instead.
The four-year pact is worth $40 million per year — the highest average annual salary for a non-quarterback in NFL history — and guarantees Garrett $122.8 million.
The 29-year-old 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year recorded 14.0 sacks last season, his seventh in a row to reach double digits.
Josh Allen extension with Bills
Another non-free agent, Allen signed a record-setting extension that brings his contract up to $330 million over six years.
The deal includes $250 million in guaranteed money for the reigning NFL MVP — the most in NFL history. It passes the $230 million the Browns guaranteed Deshaun Watson.
Davante Adams to Rams
Because the Jets released Adams last week, the 32-year-old wide receiver was able to get a head start on free agency.
He did just that, signing a two-year, $46 million deal with a Rams team that is working to trade another veteran wideout in Cooper Kupp.
Many speculated Adams would try to again team up with Aaron Rodgers, whom he played with in Green Bay and with the Jets, but the California native opted to secure a spot on the West Coast rather than wait for his longtime quarterback.
The deal continued a busy offseason for the Rams, who restructured quarterback Matthew Stafford’s contract after his brief flirtations with the Giants and Raiders. Stafford now has Adams and Puka Nacua to throw to.
DK Metcalf to Steelers
Before the Steelers settled their quarterback situation, they improved their offense with a blockbuster trade for the star wide receiver.
Pittsburgh parted with at least a second-round pick to acquire Metcalf from the Seahawks, then gave the wide receiver a new contract worth $150 million over five years.
Metcalf, a two-time Pro Bowler in six seasons, had requested a trade. He joins George Pickens in Pittsburgh to form one of the NFL’s most dynamic receiver duos.
Geno Smith to Raiders
Before the Seahawks traded Metcalf, they sent their quarterback to Las Vegas.
The Raiders acquired the 34-year-old Smith for a third-round pick, reuniting him with new head coach Pete Carroll, whom he played under in Seattle.
The acquisition had wide-reaching ramifications, as it took the Raiders out of the veteran QB market. They could still select a quarterback in next month’s draft, where they are set to pick sixth.
Khalil Mack re-signs with Chargers
Just over an hour before legal tampering opened, the Chargers took Mack off the market.
The 34-year-old pass rusher reached a one-year, fully guaranteed $18 million deal to stay with Los Angeles, according to ESPN.
The deal maintains some continuity after the Chargers released another veteran pass rusher in Joey Bosa last week.
Jaycee Horn extension with Panthers
Fresh off of his first Pro Bowl season, Horn was set to become a free agent after 2025. But on Monday, the Panthers gave the shutdown cornerback a four-year extension that keeps him under contract through 2029.
It’s a four-year, $100 million deal, according to Sports Illustrated, making Horn the NFL’s highest-paid defensive back.
The Panthers view Horn as a building block after trading away A.J. Brown, Christian McCaffrey and Brian Burns in recent years.
Harold Landry to Patriots
Another recently released player to sign quickly was Landry, who signed a three-year contract with the Patriots that reunites the pass rusher with new head coach Mike Vrabel.
The contract is worth $43.5 million, including $26 million guaranteed, for Landry, whom the Titans cut last week for cap savings.
Landry, 28, spent his first seven NFL seasons with Tennessee, including 2018-23 under Vrabel. He had nine sacks last year.
Ronnie Stanley re-signs with Ravens
Lamar Jackson’s blindside protector remains in place.
Baltimore re-signed its veteran left tackle to a three-year, $60 million contract over the weekend, according to reports, before he could hit free agency.
The 30-year-old Stanley has struggled with health throughout his career, but he did not miss a game last season and earned a Pro Bowl selection.
Nick Bolton re-signs with Chiefs
Also re-signing before free agency was Bolton, who got a three-year, $45 million contract to stay with the Chiefs.
Last year marked the third time in Bolton’s four NFL seasons that the linebacker led Kansas City in tackles.
Maxx Crosby extension with Raiders
For a few days, Crosby was the highest-paid non-QB in the NFL.
Last week, the four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension that carried that distinction until Garrett reached his mega-deal.
Zack Baun re-signs with Eagles
This time last year, the Eagles signed Baun to a one-year, $3.5 million contract that mostly flew under the radar.
What a difference a year makes.
Baun, 28, delivered a breakout season in 2024, leading the Super Bowl-champion Eagles with 151 tackles en route to All-Pro honors and a fifth-place finish in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Before he could reach free agency, the Eagles re-signed Baun to a three-year, $51 million deal.